Patio french door replacement

[06reata]

Going to be replacing our 60" x 80" french patio door this weekend. I assume the existing door has a nailing bracket all around the outside of the door?

Can't find any other mounting exsposed.

There is not any brick molding on the existing door, it has a type of aluminum frame that the siding butts up to. There is brick molding on the new door I will be installing. The house is 9 years old.

We have cemplank siding so removing the siding to get to the mounting bracket is not an option to me. My plan is to take a sawsall and cut the nailing bracket around the door to remove the door. I will then need to trim the siding to butt up to the new door with brick molding. I built a shed using cemplank siding so I know I will need a new blade.

Does this sound like a good plan? any other tips?

thanks

[crothmeier]

I'd assume you're fastening the new door through the jamb then. Make sure you slide a drip cap under the siding and over the top of the brickmold on the head of the door. Good caulking between the brickmould and siding, and sprayfoam from the inside between the jamb and the studs on either side.

[Surface Tension]

What crothmeier said.

Before you cut out the old door check its frame for plumb, level and square.

Remove the interior trim and look to see if the door is centered in the opening.

Check to see if there was an unusual amount of shimming in one for the bottom corners.

Check the RO to the new door.

What your doing here is getting ready to cut out the siding for the brick molding to set into. Next would be to take that info gained and transfer your cut line on the siding.

If you do this you won't have to cut the door flange off and instead pull the nails after the siding is cut free. Use a circular saw/carbide blade with a slight back cut for this.

Chances are you'll be cutting through nails so safety glasses a must. In the corners and bottom ends use the osculating saw. Those things aren't a gimmick and are perfect for this.

Or you can do as you suggested and then set the door in place and scribe the opening onto the siding. Sounds easy but not to much with a big heavy door while getting it plumb and square.

Whatever the case loosen the siding enough to slip flashing under it and be sure that it runs higher then the drip cap in the corners. Then install the drip cap.

[06reata]

I knew I would get a tip or two. Cutting the siding first sounds like a much better plan. If the existing door is plumb and my cuts are accurate then the new door should go in very close to plumb...great idea! Never thought about flashing on the sides either...makes sense.

thanks for your help!